Last-minute twist ruins World Cup villain’s PL move; stunning bid for Aussie ace — Transfers

World Cup villain Enzo Fernandez will join Manchester City after Chelsea agreed to a record deal; while Folarin Balogun’s move to Everton has fallen at the final hurdle.

As the transfer deadline arrived at 8am (AEST), several big deals remained in the air.

Get all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!

Biggest of all was the Toffees’ push to sign USA star Balogun from Monaco, with reports from France an issue with the striker’s medical had thrown a last-minute curveball.

Check out all the major deals and breaking news in our Deadline Day recap! Can’t see the blog? Tap here.

BALOGUN DEAL OFF IN DEADLINE DAY DRAMA

In an 11th-hour bombshell, Folarin Balogun reportedly scuppered his own move to Everton, walking away from the deal after the Toffees and Monaco renegotiated terms.

Balogun was set to sign after the French club reached an agreement with Everton on an $81 million transfer fee.

But after a medical revealed an undisclosed issue, the Toffees looked to change the terms of the deal - and the fee they were willing to pay.

According to BBC Sport, both sides were happy with the new arrangement, which dragged well past the 11pm local time deadline - only for Balogun to decide against the move at the last minute.

He would leave the club’s training ground, where he had arrived earlier in the day for his medical, without signing a contract.

Balogun emerged as a World Cup villain after his red card suspension that would have ruled him out of Team USA’s round of 16 clash with Belgium was shockingly deferred by FIFA.

It emerged that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had received a call from US President Donald Trump urging for the ban to be rescinded, prompting a furious response from around the football world and an unsuccessful Belgium challenge.

Balogun’s withdrawal also leaves Everton in a very precarious position in terms of their attacking options for the rest of the season.

Jack Grealish returned to the club for a second spell but the Toffees allowed Iliman Ndiaye join Manchester City in a £60million deal.

Beto joined Fiorentina in the final days of the summer window, making Thierno Barry their only recognised senior centre forward.

Wingers Brennan Johnson, Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling are options for Moyes to use in attacking areas.

MONACO BACKFLIP AS ‘UNPROFESSIONAL’ ACT LEAVES CHELSEA FUMING

The Balogun drama was only the second major controversy to erupt around Monaco in a frantic end to the transfer window.

With the star striker’s deal with Everton looking in danger of falling through - a fate that eventually ensured - the Reds and Whites were left in desperate need of a deal to go through.

Chelsea, who had been deeply interested in midfielder Lamine Camara as a replacement for the outgoing Enzo Fernandez, emerged as an option, with Monaco having previously rejected two offers from the Premier League giants.

The two clubs agreed to terms on an $89.2 million transfer fee, according to reports - substantially less than what Monaco were hoping for before the Balogun hitch left them needing cash fast.

But the Blues were blindsided when Monaco, once the Balogun deal appeared to be back on, pulled the offer out from under them, despite both teams having already agreed.

Transfers guru Fabrizio Romano wrote on X that Chelsea were “furious” with the act, with Monaco reportedly unwilling to lose both Camara and Balogun.

TalkSPORT reporter Ben Jacobs revealed how the deal broke down, while suggesting Premier League rivals Liverpool played a role in Monaco’s backflip.

“Chelsea, even an hour ago, were formalising this move with complete confidence,” Jacobs said.

“My understanding ... is that Monaco still believe they can get 70 million euros, and they want to keep the player now.

“Chelsea view this as deeply unprofessional. It is a huge twist in a crazy saga that was mad before this.

“The player was keen on the move.

“Liverpool Football Club made a call this evening, and more than one, I am told, to say to the camp of Camara “wait”. To say to Monaco, “wait”.

“Liverpool don’t want Lamine Camara now ... all day, Liverpool said to Monaco and Liverpool said to Camara, if you don’t get your move, and it was not looking likely in the middle of the day, we will be back for you, potentially, in 2027.”

According to Jacobs, the Balogun deal’s collapse can’t resurrect the offer, either, with Monaco refusing to sign a deal sheet that would have allowed the clubs to negotiate for two hours beyond the deadline.

TOURE STAYS WITH NORWICH DESPITE SHOCK LATE BID

Mohamed Toure is set to remain at Norwich City despite a last-minute push from a series of European powerhouses.

Most notably, Turkish giant Trabzonspor was especially keen on the up-and-coming striker, who has been on a scoring spree in the EFL Championship.

But Norwich were adamant throughout only a deal they couldn’t refuse would be enough for them to give up Toure.

“I’ve been really clear. Nothing crazy will happen. Of that, I’m confident,” manager Philippe Clement told the BBC.

“Mo Toure will not leave the club even when somebody comes with crazy money.

“Because then you would make things difficult. You cannot replace that.”

‘NOT EASY’: BRITISH RECORD EQUALLED AS WC VILLAIN JOINS CITYManchester City signed Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea on Tuesday in a reported £125 million deal ($236 million) that equalled the British transfer record.

The deal equals what Liverpool paid Newcastle for striker Alexander Isak 12 months ago.

Fernandez, who became a World Cup villain after a red card late in the final left Argentina down a man in extra time, will link up with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.

The Italian was a driving force behind the deal to land Fernandez after the recent sale of influential World Cup winner Rodri to Barcelona, as well as the departures of fellow midfielders Bernardo Silva, Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders.

The 25-year-old will partner England international Elliot Anderson and Moroccan Ayyoub Bouaddi in City’s revamped central midfield at a cost of over £300 million.

“Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are,” said Fernandez in a City statement.

“This is a club built for success. If you look across the squad, City have quality in every area. I want to learn from my new teammates and become a better player.”

Fernandez won the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup in his time at Chelsea, but his relationship with the club’s fans was soured by what they perceived as his desire to leave Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso had left Fernandez out of his squad for the last two games as speculation swirled over his potential switch to City.

“I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me. Writing this is not easy either. The truth is, I haven’t been in a good place,” Fernandez said in a lengthy farewell post to Chelsea on Instagram.

“Life is about making decisions, and right now I find myself having to make one of those difficult decisions.” Fernandez, who signed for Chelsea from Benfica for £106 million in 2023, angered the Blues last season by expressing interest in joining Real Madrid and was dropped for two matches as a result.

He scored twice in Argentina’s run to the World Cup final, including a stunning strike against England in the semi-final.

But his tournament ended with a red card in the final as Argentina were beaten 1-0 to miss out on retaining their status as world champions.

“He is a complete midfielder: technically gifted, hardworking, tenacious and a goalscorer,” said City’s director of football Hugo Viana.

“To have played in two World Cup finals and won major trophies in multiple countries at just 25 says everything you need to know about his mentality, professionalism and technical quality.

“We are delighted to bring him here and feel very strongly he will improve our team.”

‘NOT OFFENDED’: GUNNERS GREAT JOINS BARCA ON ‘SIGNIFICANT’ PAY CUT

Barcelona signed Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal on Tuesday on a deal until 2029, after they were unable to pry Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.

“Barcelona and Arsenal have reached a deal for the Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus,” said the Catalan club in a statement, with Spanish media reporting that they paid the Gunners around 10 million euros ($11.5m).

Jesus arrives to bolster an attack weakened by the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres earlier this summer.

Spanish champions Barca pursued Alvarez through the summer but Atletico refused to negotiate with the Catalan giants.

“I’m not offended,” said Jesus, when asked how he felt to be Barca’s plan B after Alvarez.

“I have the chance to be here at Barcelona, I had a chance 10 years ago and life took me in another direction, but now I can be here and it’s a dream for me.

“I always want to do the best I can, I’m a guy who works hard, I know my qualities, but work I think always pays off.”

Jesus added that he was taking a “significant” salary reduction to join Barca.

The Spanish giants were prepared to end the transfer window without adding another number nine, with winger Raphinha scoring five goals in three games playing through the middle, but ultimately opted to bring in Jesus.

“I was a little surprised we had the opportunity to get him,” Hansi Flick told reporters Monday after Barca thrashed Rayo Vallecano 5-2 in La Liga, which Jesus watched from the stands at Camp Nou.

“I really love him. I like his style to play football. It fits with our style. I think he can help us a lot in games.

“For us, he can be important, so thanks to (sporting director) Deco because again he made an excellent job.”

The 29-year-old Brazilian suffered a serious knee injury in January 2025, disrupting his career with Arsenal, where he was behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order.

He scored 32 goals at Arsenal in four seasons, after bagging 95 at Manchester City in the six years before that.

“I’ve had a bit of a tough time these past two years, but apart from that, everyone knows my quality,” added Jesus.

“I’m doing very well, very well physically,” he continued. “The knee is no longer a problem. I recovered very well and returned to playing very well with Arsenal.

“My knee and my body are fine, I’m ready to give my best.”

Jesus is Barcelona’s seventh signing of the summer, following Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Jesse Bisiwu, Joao Cancelo, Rodri and Dominik Livakovic.

Barcelona also confirmed a late loan deal for midfielder Marc Casado, who joins Deportivo La Coruna until the end of the season.

Click here to read article